New Hope-Lambertville free bridge over Delaware River is closed after being struck by floating tree

Martin Griff / The Times of TrentonPeople clean up on South Union Street in Lambertville in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene on Sunday, August 28, 2011 after mud and a boat washed down the Swan Creek.

LAMBERTVILLE -- The New Hope-Lambertville free bridge was closed this morning after a large tree floating in the swiftly-moving Delaware River struck the bridge.

John Wiseman, of Newtown, Pa., and Lauri Rimler, of New Hope, Pa., were walking across the span in search of bagels and coffee at 11 a.m. when they saw the tree headed toward the bridge while discussing the storm with a Times reporter.

“We thought it would it be worse," Wiseman said, as his focus turned toward the tree."Things are going to be a lot worse when that huge tree floats down and hits the bridge.”

The branches brushed the bottom of the bridge and it was quickly closed as a precaution until it can be inspected.

On the New Hope side of the bridge, resident Larry Warshawsky was walking his dog Domino and said the damage appeared to be minimal so far.

“We haven’t had any problems with power, which we were also worried about," Warshawsky said. "Winds were not a problem. Some roads flooded, some trees feel, but nothing major.”